Use of Buckysome or Carbon Nanotube for Drug Delivery

Abstract

Compositions and methods for administering a therapeutic agent to a mammal are disclosed. The compositions comprise either (i) vesicles comprising an amphiphilic substituted fullerene, wherein the therapeutic agent is present in the vesicle interior or between layers of the vesicle wall, (ii) a substituted fullerene, comprising a fullerene core and a functional moiety, wherein the therapeutic agent is associated with the substituted fullerene, or (iii) carbon nanotubes, wherein the therapeutic agent is covalently bonded to the carbon nanotubes.

1 - 16 . (canceled)  
     
     
         17 . A derivatized carbon nanotube, comprising: 
 a carbon nanotube, and    at least one therapeutic agent covalently attached to the carbon nanotube.    
     
     
         18 . The derivatized carbon nanotube of  claim 17 , wherein the at least one therapeutic agent is present within the carbon nanotube.  
     
     
         19 . The derivatized carbon nanotube of  claim 17 , wherein the therapeutic agent is an anti-cancer drug.  
     
     
         20 . The derivatized carbon nanotube of  claim 17 , further comprising a functional group selected from the group consisting of biotin, biotin-containing moieties, antigen-binding moieties, and tissue-recognition moieties.  
     
     
         21 . A method of delivering a therapeutic agent to a mammal, comprising 
 (i) administering to the mammal a derivatized carbon nanotube, comprising a carbon nanotube and at least one therapeutic agent covalently attached to the carbon nanotube.    
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the at least one therapeutic agent is present within the carbon nanotube.  
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the therapeutic agent is an anti-cancer drug.  
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the derivatized carbon nanotube is in an aqueous solution.  
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein the aqueous solution further comprises a preservative or an adjuvant.  
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the derivatized carbon nanotube is in a polar solution or in a solid.  
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising: 
 (ii) administering to the mammal an adjuvant.    
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein the adjuvant is administered simultaneously with the derivatized nanotube.  
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein the adjuvant is administered after the derivatized nanotube.  
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein the adjuvant promotes disruption of the covalent bond linking the at least one therapeutic agent to the carbon nanotube or otherwise enhances the action of the therapeutic agent.  
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein the adjuvant is in an aqueous solution.  
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein the derivatized carbon nanotube further comprises a functional group selected from the group consisting of biotin, biotin-containing moieties, antigen-binding moieties, and tissue-recognition moieties.  
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein the functional group enhances direction of the derivatized carbon nanotube to a tissue of the mammal.